Paul David Kelly

Paul David Kelly, 46, left this Earth too soon on July 25, 2014 in Fort Collins CO. It was always his wish to be an organ and tissue donor and because of his last unselfish act of kindness, he lives on in the 100+ people who benefitted from his gift of life.

Anyone who knew Paul knew he had a great passion for the ocean, soccer, golf, mountain biking, skiing, music, and his family. The beauty of nature or human acts of kindness could easily touch him and bring a tear to his eye. He had such an easygoing nature so friendships came easy for him. He loved to laugh, love,d to uplift people any way he could, and loved to help people whether it was picking up a complete stranger off the road to take them to the nearest gas station, or to help carry someone's groceries to their car. His gentle spirit, compassion, laughter, kindness, and generosity will be missed but never forgotten. All of those traits will carry on in his children and in those he touched with his friendship. Paul was an activist, a joker, a dreamer, a peacemaker, and a fierce protector of all those he loved. He was an avid sports fan whether it was yelling at or cheering for his teams: WMU Broncos, Notre Dame, Penn State, Temple, his Detroit Redwings, Tigers, or Lions, and his Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies or Flyers.

Paul's life was never short of adventure. He felt our son kick for the first time in Belgium, saw the amazing the artwork of Van Gogh in Amsterdam, roamed the streets of Paris, watched our son learn to walk on Sunset Beach in Hawaii, saw two pods of killer whales and wild dolphins in British Columbia, swam with sea turtles, taught our son to boogie board on the North Shore, surfed and boogie boarded every chance he could, watched the sunsets on the beaches of Kauai and California, watched the sunrises on the shores Lake Michigan and the shores of New Jersey, saw the lava flow from Kilauea, skied the mountains of California, Colorado, Jackson Hole, and Montana, met Vince Welnick, saw Stevie Ray Vaughn play a whole set with his guitar behind his back, met the members of Janes Addiction backstage, jazz musician Stanley Jordan, "Mr. Hockey" Gordy Howe, nature photographer John Fielder, and experienced the music of the Grateful Dead and the remaining members of the Dead in every way possible....

Paul was born on November 13, 1967 in Abington, Pennsylvania to Patricia Ann Maloy and James Charles Kelly. He lived in his early years in Roslyn, PA and eventually relocated with his family to Kalamazoo, MI where he attended Parchment High School and was a member of the state championship soccer team of 1985. After graduating, he attended Western Michigan University where he received his B.S. in Printing /Marketing. His love for music lead him to follow the Grateful Dead for a brief period in his life but his love of the outdoors and skiing is what drew him to move to Summit County Colorado where he eventually met his future wife. He settled down in Fort Collins where he attended Front Range Community College and received an Associates in Applied Science degree in Clean Energy Technology, as well as certifications in Multimedia Web, Multimedia Print/Presentation, and Clean Energy Technology. He had worked for a few local printing companies. At the time of his passing, he was a member of the Scimetrics Ltd. family in Wellington, CO.

Paul is preceded in death by his father James C. Kelly.

Paul was the beloved husband and soulmate of Gina and adored father of Dylan and Kiana. He was the loving son of Patricia, beloved brother of James Kelly (Both of Kalamazoo, MI), and sisters Mary Patricia Brewer, (Gowan, MI), and Kathleen Schroeder (Burke, VA). Son-in-law of Gene and Aida Pili (Rohnert Park, CA) and brother-in-law of Bronica Kelly, Mike Brewer, Jim Schroeder, Ron & Carol Pili, Myrla Pili Legaspi & Robert Gomes, and Gwyn & Richard Buckheit. Nephew of Helen Skelton and loving cousin of Chris Wysocki and Linda McManus as well as numerous cousins in the Wakeling and Kelly families of Pennsylvania. He was the beloved uncle of Andrew, Sara, James, Chris, Alex, Lani, Malia, Melaina, and Evan. He also leaves behind so many great friends who were touched by his kindness and laughter. Now Paul will always get first tracks on a powder day and he will always ride the waves wherever and whenever he wants. We will love and miss him forever. Thank you for touching his life with your friendship.

To honor Paul's life and legacy, please consider becoming an organ and tissue donor through your state when you renew your driver's license or register at this link: http://donatelife.net/register-now/

A prayer service for Paul will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 2:00 pm on Friday, September 12th.
Celebration of Life, Saturday, September 13th, 2014 - 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM - Fossil Creek Park-Oval Pavillion (Closest to the Tennis Courts) 5821 S Lemay Avemue - Fort Collins.